Ellie Ransom, Research Services Coordinator
Science and Engineering Libraries, Columbia University Libraries
Jeffrey Lancaster, Emerging Technologies Coordinator
Science and Engineering Libraries, Columbia University Libraries
So you’ve convinced your administrators and IT group to buy a 3D printer for your library. Other than just 3D printing, what can you do with your new toy? It’s simple: use the 3D printer to better engage your audience.
Many of our patrons still have a preconceived notion that libraries are old, dusty places to study. In contrast, the Science and Engineering Library at Columbia University has few books and no print periodicals. Instead, we have a slew of computers stacked with powerful software ready for researchers and students to use. For us, a 3D printer gave us an avenue to promote the 3D modeling and drafting software that we have been providing since the library opened in 2011. We got a 3D printer in order to engage our students and faculty in using the software the library provides and, by extension, the broad range of other services we offer.
To get the word out about our new Makerbot Replicator 2, we took it out of the library and into a space where patrons like to hang out and relax: a nearby coffee shop that is crowded with students, faculty, and staff from morning to night. We wanted to show off the printer in a visible location where we could connect with students and faculty. After many “Ooo”s and “Ahh”s—many had never seen a 3D printer in person—their inevitable next question was, “Will you print a gun?” No, no we won’t.
With the help of a talented intern, we then created a website, 3dprint.cul.columbia.edu, that allows Columbia affiliates to upload 3D designs, adds them to a queue, and allows us to feature interesting and novel 3D designs. Some users upload designs from external websites like MakerBot’s Thingiverse, but we try to highlight the original models made using our high-end modeling software programs. Additionally, we offer prizes to patrons who upload original designs to the site.
The most fun part of having a 3D printer is watching it actually create an object. We wanted to be able to show off the printer despite its relatively isolated location. Inspired by the webcams at The Smithsonian National Zoo that give viewers around the world an opportunity to watch pandas throughout the day—people love watching panda cubs play around with each other all day!—we attached two webcams to the printer using 3D printed mounts, and embedded the live feeds on the 3D printing website. We’re in the process of building out this service, but for a time our patrons could watch the 3D printer in action from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Watching an object print is a lot of fun, but some objects print slowly over many hours. In order to showcase the entire process in a short time, we created time-lapse videos showing objects being printed. Time-lapse videos can turn nine hours of printing into a dynamic one-minute video that can be shared easily with anyone. Check out this video where we printed a 3D model of a human brain based on MRI scans:
One way we make patrons aware of the videos and webcams is through Twitter (@CU_SEL): when a new object is printing or when a new video is uploaded, we tweet links to the 3D model, the webcams, and the video.
In addition to putting information out about our 3D printer over Twitter, through workshops, and via one-on-one consultations with interested patrons, we’re also engaging the wider 3D printing community in a variety of ways. Talking with other libraries that run 3D printers, joining listservs, and staying in contact with the manufacturer have enabled us to access resources, to learn how to troubleshoot issues with the printer, to hear about new developments in 3D printing, and to get samples of new materials that could be used for printing. Ultimately, being part of a community is the best way to stay relevant and up to date in this rapidly changing field.
There are also some things we haven’t been able to do with our 3D printer. Ideally, we’d like to be able to offer patrons the chance to hack the printer, to try to adapt it to new functions, and to try to print using exotic materials. Unfortunately, that sort of experimentation often results in a broken or dysfunctional machine; in order to keep it working smoothly for patrons who want to use it for standard 3D printing, we probably won’t facilitate hacking our printer any time soon. We do, however, encourage our patrons to come up with non-traditional uses of the printer that wouldn’t change the operability of the machine. We are particularly interested in how 3D printing can enable researchers to ask new questions that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to ask without having access to such a device.
So now that you have a 3D printer in your library, we hope you’ll take advantage of our experience and creatively use it to more fully engage your users.
Did we miss something? Have you found another way to engage your users with 3D printing? We hope you’ll continue the discussion and let us know what you’re doing. You can leave a comment below, email us (Ellie or Jeffrey), or send us a tweet (https://twitter.com/CU_SEL).